Joe Ledley happy with home draw despite avoiding Old Firm clash

Joe Ledley felt that most fans would have wanted a Rangers v Celtic tie in the League Cup.© SNS Group

Joe Ledley reckons most Celtic fans were hoping for an Old Firm draw in the League Cup.

However the Welsh star said that he was just happy to be handed a home tie in the third round, with Division One Raith Rovers to visit Celtic Park later in the month.

With Ally McCoist's team now in the Third Division, the cup competitions are the only chance of an Old Firm derby taking place this term.

Rangers will welcome Motherwell to Ibrox in the same round.

Speaking after the teams were kept apart in the draw at New Douglas Park on Monday, Ledley said: "I think most of the fans wanted to see that.

"As players, we will take anyone. If we win, maybe we will see them in the next round or the next cup.

"It's a fantastic draw for us and we are just delighted to be at home.

"We haven't been at home for a while in the cups so we are happy with the draw.

"It's not going to be an easy game so we will just go out there and play our football and hopefully get the result.

"We played a couple of teams away from home last year and it was difficult for us so we are happy we got that home draw and we hope it's an advantage for us."

Ledley played his part in a shock loss for Neil Lennon’s men to Kilmarnock in last year’s League Cup final at Hampden and he admits the 1-0 defeat still stings the squad.

He said that the memory of the loss will spur the Celts on against potentially lower league opposition.

Ledley said: "We were devastated that we didn't win it last year and we've got another opportunity now this year to win it.

"Hopefully we can achieve that but it's going to be a difficult game.

"Raith Rovers are going to be up for it and will make it difficult for us. It gives them an opportunity to play in front of a good crowd, in a good stadium and on a good pitch.

"It will be a hard game so hopefully we can have all our players fit for it and put a strong team out. We will have to be ready straight from the off."

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